Barry Fit For Swansea

Gareth Barry is expected to be fit to face Swansea City at Goodison Park this Saturday.

The midfielder was on the receiving end of a reckless foul from Kevin Theophile-Catherine in the first half of the weekend victory over Cardiff City.

Barry was able to complete the full 90 minutes, though Roberto Martinez explained in his post-match press conference that the Manchester City loanee would need to be assessed.

And, speaking on Tuesday morning, the Blues boss reported the welcome news that Barry received no serious damage.

Martinez told evertontv: “We’ve been very fortunate. It was a strong knock but he was caught in a position that has allowed him to recover quickly.

“It was painful and he has got stud marks but it didn’t affect any joints. The ankle and the knee are in perfect condition so luckily enough on this occasion Gareth is fine and today he will train as normal.”

Martinez also confirmed that Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar will be monitored in the build-up to the Swans’ visit to Goodison.

Jagielka has sat out the last three games with a hamstring complaint, while Pienaar was absent at the weekend after limping off in the second half of the FA Cup quarter-final tie at the Emirates Stadium.

Meanwhile, Martinez revealed that Lacina Traore is making speedy progress in his recovery from his own hamstring injury.

The striker netted on his debut in the FA Cup clash with Swansea in February but then suffered a setback during the warm-up of the Premier League game at Chelsea the following weekend.

“He is progressing really well. He has had the first part of the treatment and his recovery is quicker than we expected, so we are very pleased,” Martinez continued.

“His attitude has been very much focused on coming back and playing before the season ends, which we are very much looking forward to.

“He is desperate to carry on after starting so well with the goal against Swansea in the FA Cup. The signs are very good that we will see Lacina in an Everton shirt before the season ends.

“We’ve got an agreement with the Ivory Coast and it was important that we work together with a view of the World Cup that is around the corner.

“With the relationship with Monaco too, we are getting the best possible treatment for Lacina. We are using different environments. He’s been working in Qatar and now he is working with our medical department.

“We are making sure we use everyone’s expertise to the benefit of Lacina.”

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